I have aquired an old Compaq Deskpro with 6GB HD & 192MB RAM.

The network card that was onboard was u/s, so I tried sticking a 3Com 802.11g wireless LAN PCI card in but can't get the PC to recognise it.

Anyone who is not got any ideas? Or should I just give up now......

Well chances are that the MB is bad.

But just to check:

What OS do you have? (Windows _____)

The dreaded Windows Me

I suspect that a system with a 6GB hard drive (circa 1996/1997)...will not be able to accommodate any technical improvements that occurred after that particular time period...without a BIOS update.

I further suspect that no such update exists for a system that dates back that far...but I've been wrong before.

Louis

Found a 2003 update that has allowed the installation to go through, but now when the program starts the window briefly flashes up on the screen, then closes again.

Not to seem stupid (although I don't mind being stupid)...but what program are you talking about?

And where did you obtain this update? Update to what?

Thanks.

Louis

Sorry, I knew what I was on about.....!

It was a BIOS update from the Compaq website.

The program in question is the wireless card config utility.

OK, I understand now .

If you have the card installed (XP recognizes it because proper driver is installed), I suggest not worrying about this configuration utility. What is there to configure on a NIC?

To set up your Internet connection or LAN...just use the XP Connection Wizard and it will automatically configure all the protocols you need to use the card.

Post back with questions, problems.

Louis

Unfortunatley I've got Windows Me on this machine. I don't intend throwing any cash at it to get it going!! Meanwhile the original network card is working for now. If it stays stable I can run a telephone cable to get the router close to the PC. Wireless would be better, but the main aim is to get the thing able to send e-mails.

Do you mean network cable? There is a difference

I did think the card (Intel PRO/100+ Alert) was the problem. I checked the broadband connection up to the cable with a laptop and all functioned correctly.